I’m so excited to share two new offerings I’ve been working on for several months behind the scenes that will be debuting soon! These new ventures are things near and dear to my heart and are at the core of who I am and what Madelyn Ridgeway Events is about. Without further ado……….

MADELYN RIDGEWAY LEARNING

MRE Learning blends my past as a facilitator and community specialist with my love of planning events, encouraging others and supporting the development of strong relationships. It’s who I am at my core and what Madelyn Ridgeway Events stands for. Offerings for the learning sessions will include all sorts of creative classes taught by some of the most creative minds in Iowa and the Midwest! We’ll have sewing, photography, painting, calligraphy and floral design classes (just to name a few) that you and your girlfriends can spend the day enjoying. It will also feature exclusive events for couples and families that provide new, fun and innovative opportunities for learning and socializing in the Cedar Valley.

MADELYN RIDGEWAY CREATIVE

Many people don’t know this but for as long as I can remember, I’ve had an affection for pretty paper and stationery; my extensive collection of wrapping paper and notecards are a testament to that affection! For years now, I’ve designed custom stationery and products at the request of clients for events but never for general sell.

MRE Creative is a collection of prints, notecards and helpful mommy items that feature fun and encouraging words. The goals of each of item is to give you a way of encouraging others or yourself and to make make your life a little easier, something I’m sure we all can use. I’ve been busy working to design each piece so each is near and dear to my heart. I know you’ll enjoy them as much as I do. There may even be a few Christmas card options for those of you who like thoughtful and fun family photo cards for the holidays!

Here are a few sample few pieces from the 2014-15 line.

Want to earn a sweet discount and help me out in 3 easy steps?

1) Click here and sign-up for our newsletter. In about a week you’ll receive the inaugural edition of LOVE NOTES, the monthly newsletter of behind-the-scenes happenings and special tips from Madelyn Ridgeway Events.

2) Take a short survey to tell us your thoughts.

3) Stalk your inbox for a coupon code on your first MRE Creative or Learning purchase!

Doesn’t that sound easy? Not to mention you’ve done a good deed for the day and made me one happy girl!

Y’all I’ve got to admit, when I wrote the post for my 2013 word of the year, I had no idea what kinds of things I was opening myself up to pursue! Here is a quote from my post last year

Stay tuned because you’ll see big things happen with me and Madelyn Ridgeway Events this year; I know it. You’ll see things materialize that have been in my heart for a long time. Things I have to share with the world and make it a better place

Words are a powerful thing, y’all; whether you know it or not, our words create (or tear down) our lives. I love a quote from one of my favorite speakers that says “where you are today is a direct result of the words you spoke a year ago”. 2013 proved this to be true in so many ways.

When I wrote that post, Shaffer and I had discussed me leaving my job to stay home but quite frankly, it seemed like it just wasn’t going to happen; between two surgeries, great opportunities at work, multiple family deaths and a second, growing family business, we started to think we’d missed it. We had prayed and truly believed we were on the right track but the little seeds of doubt started trying to sneak their way in. This is where the rubber meets the road folks, this is where it becomes faith and you step out on the water to walk! On April 12, 2013, I left my full-time job of almost 10 years to go after what matters most to me.

In the beginning I felt like a fish out of water. Not having a job to go to, reports to file or a boss to answer to, felt really awkward to me. After after about a month, the pendulum swung and I was over the moon with all the “extra” time I had; I did lunch with friends e-v-e-r-y day then ran to pick the boys up and home to get dinner started. I quickly realized this wouldn’t work. I eventually settled in to somewhat of a routine and dug my heels in to really pursue those big dreams of mine and make great things happen. All the work paid off when I launched the new Madelyn Ridgeway Events in November to great reception and enthusiasm!

It’s only the beginning and I look forward to more good things to come in the future which is why I chose focus as my 2014 word of the year. Webster’s defines focus as:

– to bring to a focus or into focus: to focus the lens of a camera.

– to concentrate: to focus one’s thoughts.

That’s what 2014 is about for me; continuing to to pursue big things while making sure I focus on what’s important. Join me tomorrow for part 2!

Thank y’all for such a warm response to my new website and branding! It makes all the hard work worth it.

To celebrate the launch, I’m giving away some of my favorite things! I’m so excited! Y’all wouldn’t believe the amount of thought I put into what items to put on this list. I really wanted this giveaway to reflect some of my favorite things so I could share them with one lucky reader.

4. A set of 25 personalized notecards (personalized to your liking) by yours truly!

To enter leave a comment telling me your favorite part of my new website and branding. The giveaway ends on Friday, November 15, 2013 when I will randomly pick a winner from the comments. Feel free to enter once a day until the contest ends! The winner will be announced Monday, November 18! Now enter away!